East Brookfield cash flow problems require special meeting

Insufficient funds in several town accounts led selectmen last night to schedule a special town meeting for Jan. 7.

The veteransí services account was depleted in September when two unexpected requests for benefits started drawing $1,630 a month from an account that was underfunded to begin with

In October, the Finance Committee approved taking $5,790 from the townís reserve to cover the new expenses incurred by Veteranís Agent Peter Rock. The reserve fund is money set aside by voters to pay for emergency or unexpected expenses.

At the Jan. 7 meeting, voters will be asked to replenish the $5,790 taken from the reserve fund, which paid veteransí benefit costs through January, and also provide Mr. Rock with an estimated $8,150 in the veteransí services account to underwrite benefit costs from February through June, end of the fiscal year.

Mr. Rock previously told selectmen that 75 percent of all veteransí services costs are reimbursed to the town by the state.

The Police Department also is seeking to replenish its vehicle and equipment account by an unspecified sum. Selectman Leo E. Fayard said the police previously had an expensive transmission job done on one of the departmentís vehicles, and that seriously affected the account in question.

The deadline to submit articles for the Jan. 7 meeting is Dec. 17.

ó J.P. Ellery

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